How a deal with my mother saved my life —Ijewere

Emmanuel Itoya Ijewere is the current chairman of Best Foods Groups, Nova Merchant Bank Limited and the former President of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). In this interview with SEGUN KASALI, he discusses his journey through life.

What motivated you into starting an accounting firm with your wife?

I was a partner in D. O. Dafinone & Co. When I left to set up my practice, I needed someone to assist me administratively, and my wife happens to be good in that area, but at the same time, we just started raising a family. So, she would come with me to work in the morning and leave in the afternoon. She was not an accountant but a very good administrator. So, she kept me in the straight and narrow.

How did you meet her?

That is very interesting. As a young man, I used to live on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere. She was introduced to me by a girlfriend of a friend of mine. On the first day, which was the 12th of February, 1974, that she was introduced to me, I liked her and I decided to marry her.

Who amongst the children is taking after you in the accounting practice?

My first son took after me. Unfortunately, he died and that was the only one. All the others are doing their own things; stockbroking, law and property management, catering and logistics. Poor me! None of them did accounting. But, I thank God today because of the opportunity God and my parents gave me.

Tell us about the Ijeweres.

We are in Ubiaja in Edo state. My father came to Lagos in 1926. He was given a note by the parish priest in Ubiaja to look for one Reverend Father Leo Taylor. So, my father came by boat from Ubiaja to Lagos and I think it took them about three weeks. He arrived at Ebute-elefun and he walked across to a place called Cathedral. Where he met the man and gave him the note. He took my father in to be his house-help to wash clothes and so on and in exchange, my father had education. That was the time this Leo Taylor was being made the pioneer principal of St. Gregory’s College. It was called St. Gregory Grammar School at a time. He started working in the civil service. I was not there when he met my mother (laughs). Eventually, they had five of us and I was number 4. I was the last boy in the family out of 4 boys and one girl being the last born.

What are the lessons from them?

One thing I first learnt was the fact that, for him, after providing food for the family, the next thing was education. I remember he had a cupboard where he had a cup for each of his children. He would put money in each cup for their school fees. My mother was a trader. I remember in 1959 or so, my father was transferred under the Ministry of Health to Cameroon to work with the District Officer. And he went with three of his last children, leaving others in Lagos. He was later transferred back to Lagos.

How was growing up like for you?

Growing up was fun and full of memories. Between Obalende and Tinubu square, there were only five people that owned cars and we had a beautiful road on Lewis Street. On Saturdays for instance, we played football at Tafawa Balewa Square popularly called Race Course in those days where there used to be horse racing. Due to this horse racing, we played football on the streets of Lagos. On Turton Street, I think number 4 was the residence of the mayor of Lagos. His name was Dr. Olorunnimbe. We would be play football near Sangrouse market. But, as soon as he is coming out of his street, his driver would press his horn and it would be with lots of noise. From there, everybody around the street would hear because Lagos was quiet and the population was small. So, we would know he is coming and when he appears, we open the goal post to allow his car to pass so we can continue our football. Sometimes, he annoys people because his car approaches when you are about to score, because of the sound of the horn, we would say leave the road for him, he is a mad man. So, one day he was passing and we were all shouting yafun yafun yafun werey ni yafun, the mayor came out of the car. As soon as he came out, he said baba yin niwerey (Your fathers are the mad men) we ran. We don’t want him to identify any of us otherwise our parents would show us fire. So, that was the kind of fun I had while growing up.

You were all not caught?

I am going there. Unfortunately, one of the parents heard what happened and he came to gather us from house to house. We were all lined up and he gave us three strokes of cane. This is someone else’s father. But, it was important I never tell my father what happened because he would add his own. To him, these children had done something bad. He considered himself the father of these children and this gentleman was a Muslim. So, he did what he wanted to do and that was considered normal. It was weeks after my father asked is it true you did so so and so. Then, I said yes sir. He said you are lucky I did not catch you that day I would have shown you.

You must have been a rascal then, sir?

For you to be really rascally, you have and ought, to be strategic. The first thing is to find out the line of the least resistance and the strongest line of opposition I had was my father who was a disciplinarian. So, I negotiated with my mother. She would ask me to go and help her sell bread and rather than being compensated for that, she would overlook my rascality. I would go and play football. So, whenever my dad asked her about me, she would tell him I am on an errand. So, that was the strategy.

What songs do you listen to sir?

I think the ones I enjoy most are the old music especially Bongos Igwe, Sunny Ade, Victor Uwaifo, Ebenezer Obey, Michael Jackson and so many beautiful songs in those days that had meaning when you listen to them.

What do you say to people at a time like this?

What I would advise people to do is to seek happiness and not money. When you chase money to a large extent, you would lose happiness and money does not necessarily give you happiness. And when you start chasing money, there is no end to it. And if you look round you, the rich people today are trying to be richer. And the other mentality is living your life to be happy and teaching your children to work hard. Do not try to leave property for your children. If you have given them a good education, they would find their way. Live your life positively. That is very important.

What advice do you have for those looking up to you in the profession sir?

The profession has changed- computerization and artificial intelligence have changed the world. You must be ready to change with it. Much of the work you do today as a chartered accountant is being done with artificial intelligence. Adjust to it, be a friend of artificial intelligence and don’t resist it. The future is going to be easier but intelligence-led. It must be knowledge-led. So, don’t do things the same way that you have always done it. And take the changes in the world as irreversible.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Viral Voice Note On WhatsApp Billing False

Claim: A viral WhatsApp voice note, purportedly made by the director and CEO of WhatsApp, claims users will have to start paying for WhatsApp services.

Verdict: The viral WhatsApp voice note claim is a hoax. The content is not new and has been circulated as a broadcast message several times in the past.

Experts Say Mixture Of Snail Slime, Evaporated Milk Cannot Cure Stroke

CLAIM: A Facebook user claims water gotten from snails (snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke.

VERDICT: The claim that water gotten from snails (snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke is false.

FULL STORY: On July 26, 2020, a Facebook user, Prince Nnamdi Enyinnaya Emelelu Eluwa, in a post claimed that water gotten from snails (Snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke. The post which is over a year old has recently been reshared by other Facebook users.

Marburg Virus: What You Need To Know About Disease Recently Detected In West Africa

On Monday, August 9, 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the first case of Marburg virus in West Africa in Guinea. This development has sent shivers down the spines of West Africans who are still grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. But before this dreaded disease is greeted by rumours and misinformation, here is what you have to know about the virus.APC states to establish Health Emergency Trust Fund…

FACT CHECK: US Did Not Give Nigeria 48 Hours Ultimatum To Detain Abba Kyari

CLAIM: Several social media posts claim the United States of America (USA) gave Nigeria’s Federal Government 48 hours to detain suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari, or face severe sanctions.

VERDICT: The claim is false and misleading. The US did not give Nigerian Federal Government 48 hours ultimatum to detain Abba Kyari.